Double Majors
Student Profile
Jennifer (Jenn) Lacroix '97
Attorney, MHM
Major(s): Civil Engineering and SSPS
"I selected WPI since it seemed to encourage development of the person beyond the basic requirements of a chosen major. I went to college planning to go to law school afterwards, so SSPS seemed like a natural fit as a double major. Besides, being interested in law from the start, I found that the topics of the classes offered in SSPS were very interesting and I wanted to take them, as well as courses in civil engineering. After graduating from WPI, I went directly to Northwestern Law School and joined MHM as an attorney after graduating from Northwestern and I can honestly say I enjoy the work I am doing.
WPI's most ambitious and talented students often complete two majors. Any major offered by the Department of Social Science and Policy Studies can be combined with any other major offered at WPI.
Completing such a demanding program of study requires careful planning, so students interested in double majors should seek the advice of faculty in both major departments as soon as possible. To obtain a double major, students must satisfy all of the degree requirements of both majors. Because all WPI students take some Social Science, and all Social Science majors take foundation courses in math and science, some double counting of courses can reduce the overall course load. Students will have to complete an MQP in both majors. However, students who double major in Social Science, and complete an MQP in Social Science are not required to complete a separate IQP as a University requirement. So, unlike other double majors, the double major in Social Science and Policy Studies does not require three qualifying projects (two MQPs and an IQP). However, the Social Science MQP must meet the goals of both the IQP and MQP. It must be interactive in nature, involving an aspect of technology as well as in application of social science knowledge and analytical techniques.
Again, the decision to pursue the social science double major should be made fairly early in the student's academic career as careful planning is required to complete all the coursework for two majors in a timely manner.
For more information on the rules governing double majors at WPI, see the Undergraduate Catalog
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: March 17, 2008 10:47:54